(Augusta, GA) – Ala’Torya Cranford, ’09 was chosen to serve as a member of the 2012-2013 United Negro College Fund (UNCF) National Alumni Council Board of Directors. She holds the title of Assistant Southeast Regional Representative. As the Assistant Southeast Regional Representative, she will be responsible for working with 30 of the 38 UNCF member institutions. Cranford will also attend the annual NAC conferences and assist with increasing National Alumni Association involvement.

Cranford currently serves as Assistant Director of Alumni Relations at Paine College. She is responsible for overseeing a comprehensive alumni program including electronic communications, an on-line community, events (both on campus and regional), and programs to bring alumni together with current students as well as preparing students to develop into supportive and involved alumni through the Paine College Pre-Alumni Council.

“I’ve worked with Pre- Alumni students during the NAC/UNCF leadership conferences for the past two years. It’s a privilege to be trusted to be a part of the UNCF/NAC Board. God is blessing me and I plan to do my best as I represent my alma mater,” Cranford said.

The National Alumni Council is an affiliate of the United Negro College Fund, Inc. founded in 1946, to foster, influence and safeguard the existence and strength of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

About UNCF UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization. UNCF provides operating funds for 38 member historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), scholarships and internships for students at about 900 institutions and faculty and administrative professional training.

For more than 67 years, UNCF has raised more than $3.3 billion to help more than 400,000 students attend college and graduate from college. UNCF has distributed more funds to help minorities attend school than any entity outside of the U.S. government.

Relevant and responsive to our global economy, UNCF continues to raise funds to educate the best and the brightest among us despite their financial challenges. UNCF and its member schools continue to be at the forefront of the effort to create the next generation of professionals who will keep our nation competitive and secure our future.

For information contact the Office of Communications at (706) 396-7591, (706) 821-8233 or Ncarter@paine.edu.